Chester Bird Post 523 announces sale of its building

By Tim Engstrom
The honor guard from American Legion Post 523 welcomes the national commander during a visit in April 2024.

GOLDEN VALLEY  — Chester Bird American Legion Post 523 in Golden Valley announced today the selling of its post home to Breck School.

The announcement comes after Post 523, last October, announced its intention to purchase the former Red Lobster building at 8900 Golden Valley Road, with plans to relocate its bar, restaurant and banquet operations there.

Post 523 Commander Craig Hartman said the move will raise the visibility of The American Legion in that community.

“This move is an investment in our legacy and our vision for the future,” said Post 523 Commander Craig Hartman. “We look forward to continuing our mission of raising critical support for the local veterans community while maintaining a lasting and visible presence in Golden Valley.”

The Breck School, a private Episcopal school offering college-preparatory education from preschool to 12th grade, is adjacent to Post 523’s current property at 200 N. Lilac Drive. People could sit on the patio at the post and watch baseball games. The acquisition is part of the school’s “Future Focus” strategic plan.

“We are incredibly proud and honored to reach this milestone in shaping the future for both Breck and the Chester Bird Post 523,” said School Head Natalia R. Hernández. “Breck’s mission can only be realized through strategic planning and collaboration, and this expansion reflects our commitment to creating a vibrant and student-focused campus.”

Terms of the transaction are confidential. The Chester Bird Relocation Committee and Breck’s Board of Trustees and Leadership were key in making the transaction possible. Both parties expressed gratitude toward the other in a news release today.

With the transaction now finalized, American Legion Post 523 will begin remodeling and updating its new facility, which is expected to open in September 2025. In the interim, the post will continue operations at its current location.